The Ithacan

Accuracy • Independence • Integrity

The residence hall Wi-Fi system was not nearly ready in time for move-in. The confusion that students faced was preventable.

With a new vision and staff, Ithaca College’s Digital Instruction and Information Services plans to upgrade key parts of the college’s wireless internet service by May 2017, completing an overhaul of the system which began last fall.

The Ithaca College campus has undergone many changes, additions and renovations over the summer, some of which are more visibly obvious than others.

Keith “Mac” McIntosh, associate vice president of Digital Instruction and Information Services and chief information officer, has accepted a position as vice president and chief information officer at the University of Richmond in Virginia.

Ithaca College’s $2.3 million Wi-Fi update is on the verge of completion as the last building to be updated — the Athletics and Events Center — enters a final testing phase.

ITS kicked off its five-year strategic plan on Oct. 23 with the first surveys, distributed to a random selection of students, faculty and staff.

President Obama has recently pledges to implement a $750 million worth initiative called ConnectED to enhance technology for 99% of the students in the U.S.

As Ithaca College struggles with complaints of poor Wi-Fi connectivity across campus since last semester, officials said the college’s six-year contract with Apogee, its Internet provider for students in residence halls, is set to expire at the end of August 2014.

Outside the context of higher education, Wi-Fi is a luxury that keeps society constantly “plugged in.” But on a college campus, Internet access is a necessary tool for professors to teach their students.

Candidates for the Ithaca College SGA presented their plans for change on campus to the student body on Monday evening in IC Square.

As more students are bringing multiple devices to campus, Wi-Fi performance has not been meeting students’ expectations